Project Viriditas is a concept for an inflatable plant habitat on Mars, based on Martian physics & climate, collapsible architectures, membrane pressure vessel hydroponics, and material science. This closed-loop biome incorporates a holistic design approach to preserve the integrity of Mar's ecosystem, while evaluating viability for human presence.

This is an interdisciplinary group project with mechanical engineering, material science, physics, industrial design, architecture, and art students.

Martian Biome, the first step towards a habitat on Mars

STRUCTURE & DEPLOYMENT

The intent for the biome was to provide a viability test for sustaining life on Mars and create a monument for human interaction after the experiment has ended.

STRUCTURE

The design is intended to engage the public with a uniquely-shaped habitat as well as function as an experiment in organism viability.

The biome consists of three columns, each containing vertically stacked aeroponic growth systems. Each leg of the tripod contains its own telescoping column which houses all the vital systems and resources. If the systems in one column fail, the experiment continues.

The structural plates expand in size and elevation in response to the size of the various plant species. The vertical system also makes use of the reduced gravity to aid in a vertical deployment sequence.

DEPLOYMENT

The biome would be transported in a flat state, in which the plant growth trays are layered as closely to each other as possible. Once on the surface, the telescoping pole deploys. As the pole telescopes, it pulls the exterior cabling structure into tension, finally locking into place to create a solid structure.

Artificial Forest If the initial settlement were successful, it would be conceivable to populate the surface of Mars with several of these biomes to create an artificial 'forest' on the planet in anticipation of a manned mission.

Human Interaction As human settlement on the planet begins, the the biome could be retrofitted and integrated with the interior of human habitats to provide residence with not only a means of food and oxygen, but also the experience of tending the plants on an otherwise barren planet.

EXTERIOR SKIN SYSTEM

The skin of Project Viriditas was largely inspired by the work done on the TransHab. Inflatable project.

The Atomic Oxygen protective layer would be a thicker outer-layer of Betaglass fabric, the Multi-layer insulation Layer (MLI) would be comprised of Betacloth, and layers of Mylar separated by Dacron, the Micrometeoroid Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection would have Polyurethane foam layer in between each layer of Nexetel, and the Resistant layer/inner layer would have Kevlar, Bladder for redundant layering, Combitherm, and Nomex for fire resistance. All of these materials would help in radiation, protection, and low permeability of our plant biome.

PROTOTYPING

Mylar Tiles The biome is enclosed in a tessellated skin made of triangle tiles with mylar centers, for heat radiation protection. The entire structure of the dome is supported by 'branches', which may be air-pumped or foam-filled. These are the structures that house the individual pressure vessels that each are equipped with aero- or hydro-ponic systems.

Folding Geometries As an easy means of collapsing the plastic, we experimented with folding patterns that would allow the plastic to fold down and deploy in a controlled fashion.

However, while all the forms we explored created interesting geometries, they weren't compatible with the Mars habitat geometry and didn't produce a geometry that is flat and compact.

Skin Prototyping Our prototyping experiments heavily involved testing the joinery. We tested two different different ways of joinery, heat welding tabs together and sewing the pieces together.

Realistically, the pieces would be joined through sewing as NASA has already pioneered for its current inflatables as well as due to the thickness of the skin.

INTERIOR SYSTEMS

Overall Goal Our goal was to make sure that each layer of plant life would be able to access the proper amount of water. A recreation of proper aeroponic systems was necessary.

Constraints:

Collect subterranean water from Mars

Have limited misters directed towards a plant layer

Use a fluid, dynamic system with no tank in our Earth analog

Looking into the Future In future, more advanced, biomes, we would like to expand our scope. Utilizing the Martian water and finding faster, easier ways to access water would be crucial. Continuing with using aeroponics would be perfect for full scale mockups. It utilizes less water and allows for more a dynamic habitat.

Aeroponic Systems are becoming more and more common in modern day farming. The plants being supplied by such a system are as healthy and bountiful as normal gardening methods. Aeroponics use less water in traditional methods, our plant design allows for easy watering with a direct path to the roots, constant humidity in system benefits decomposition layer

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

The goal of the Project Viriditas outreach program is to bring the experience of the Martian Biome back to Earth. To offer viewers an immersive and engaging experience, we've designed a virtual reality simulation of the Martian biome, brought to life by data from the biome. Every day, the biome sends data back to Earth, which is digitally transposed in an environment that viewers can freely study and explore.

Virtual Reality allows for a comprehensive and informative view of the biome, allowing exploring the data to be both immersive and enjoyable

Research Tool while the VR experience was primarily designed as a public-facing service, a suite of measurement and biome management tools have been designed in parallel for use by scientists and researchers. This allows both astronauts in transit and those on Earth to engage with the biome's data in a holistic and contextual research environment.

Psychological Impact By creating a multi-sensory experience housed within the astronauts' helmets, we not only give them a powerful tool for observing and tendering to the biome, but create an immerse space for relaxation and psychological solace. Visual displays mounted in the astronauts visor fill their field of view with imagery of the biome simulation, while on-board speakers an an olfactory dispenser can enhance the experience to each user's preferences.